Oh, *&^@!: Australians in Victoria will soon receive on-the-spot fines for swearing in public

Australians may have a love of plain speaking but new laws are set to curtail some of their more colourful language with police issuing on-the-spot fines for obnoxious swearing. -- PHOTO: INTERNET MELBOURNE - AUSTRALIANS may have a love of plain speaking but new laws are set to curtail some of their more colourful language with police issuing on-the-spot fines for obnoxious swearing. The country's second most populous state Victoria is due to approve new legislation this week under which police will be able to slap fines of up to A$240 (S$317) on people using offensive words or phrases. Victorian Attorney-General Robert Clark said the penalties, similar to those issued for speeding or parking illegally, would free up police time. 'This will give the police the tools they need to be able to act against this sort of obnoxious behaviour on the spot, rather than having to drag...